Pallet disassembly machine

ABSTRACT

A horizontal support table is provided for supporting a pallet to be disassemblied with the stringers of the pallet extending longitudinally of the table. A plurality of transversely spaced longitudinal zones of the table have elevated depending abutment members supported therefrom at points spaced therealong and a plurality of longitudinal abutment members are provided for insertion through the pallets between adjacent stringers thereof below and above the upper and lower deck boards of the pallet. The opposite ends of the table include elongated transverse abutment members supported from the table for vertical shifting relative thereto and engagement with the opposite ends of the elongated abutment members for raising the latter and the deck boards of a pallet disposed on the table relative to the pallet stringers with which the depending abutment members may be engaged. Fast acting air cylinders are connected between the table and opposite ends of the transverse abutment members for sharply raising the latter relative to the table when the air cylinders are actuated.

United States Patent 1 [111 3,846,890

Bielkiewicz Nov. 12, 1974 PALLET DISASSEMBLY MACHINE pallet to be disassemblied with the stringers of the pal- [76] Inventor; Raymond L Bielkiewicz, 513 Rienzi let extending longitudinally of: the table. A plurality of Dr, La Place 70068 transversely spaced longitudinal zones of the table have elevated depending abutment members supl l Flledi J 1974 ported therefrom at points spaced therealong and a plurality of longitudinal abutment members are pro- [21] Appl' NO" 429,714 vided for insertion through the pallets between adjacent stringers thereof .below and above the upper and [52] US. Cl 29/200 D lower deck boards of the pallet, The opposite ends of [51] Int. Cl .i B23p 19/00 the table include elongated transverse abutment mem- Field of Search 0 D, 200 200 bers supported from the table for vertical shifting rela- 29/200 J, 200 B tive thereto and engagement with the opposite ends of the elongated abutment members for raising the latter References Cited and the deck boards of a pallet disposed on the table UNITED STATES PATENTS relative to the pallet stringers with which the depend- 3,512,242 5 1970 Harvis; 29 252 ing abutment members may be engaged Fast acting 3.740.815 9 1973 Campbell et 3| 29 200 D air Cylinders are Connected between the table and P- Primary Examiner-Thomas H. Eager Attorney, Agent pr F irm Clarence A. OBrien & Harvey B. Jacobson 57 ABSTRACT A horizontal support table is provided for supporting a posite ends of the transverse abutment members for sharply raising the latter relative to the table when the air cylinders are actuated.

' 8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PALLET DISASSEMBLY MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The pallet disassembly machine of the instant invention has been designed to provide an apparatus for cleanly disassembling pallets. Pallet disassembling and repairing machines have been heretofore designed and include the apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,512,242 and the assembly disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,740,8l5. However, these previously designed machines are constructed in a manner whereby the deck boards of pallets are slowly forced from engagement with the stringers of pallets acted upon by the machine. However, the pallet disassembly machine of the instant invention is constructed in a manner whereby the deck boards of pallets may be sharply disengaged from the stringers of pallets being disassembled, it being found that rapid separation of the deck boards from the pallet stringers results in a higher percentage of the deck boards being reusable. In addition, the rapid operation of the disassembly machine of the instant invention represents a considerable saving in time when disassembling pallets.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The disassembly machine of the instant invention includes structure whereby all of the upper deckboards of a pallet positioned on the machine may be sharply separated from the stringers of a pallet and thereafter the pallet with its upper deck boards removed may be withdrawn from the machine, inverted and again placed in position to be acted upon by the machine in order to have the remaining deck boards sharply separated from the pallet stringers.

The motor means by which the pallet deck boards are sharply separated from the pallet stringers comprise fast acting air cylinders and in this manner the deck boards of a pallet may be rapidly'separated from the pallet stringers.

It is the main object of this invention to provide a pallet disassembly machine which will be capable of disassembling the deck boards of pallets from the pallet stringers in a manner such as to remove the deck boards with little damage thereto.

Another object of this invention, in accordance with the immediately preceding object, is to provide a pallet disassembly machine which may be readily operated by a single operator.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a pallet disassembly machine which may be readily adjusted to handle pallets of different sizes.

A final object of this invention to be specifically enumerated herein is to provide a pallet disassembly machine in accordance with the preceding objects which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be

of simple construction and easy to use so as to providea device that will be economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble free in operation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the pallet disassembly machine of the instant invention with a pallet to be disassembled by the machine illustrated in position of the latter;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the pallet disassembly machine;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the pallet disassembly machine; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view illustrating the manner in which one of the depending abutment members may be engaged with the upper marginal portion of a pallet stringer during upward displacement of the upper boards of a pallet being disassembled.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates the pallet disassembly machine of the instant invention. The machine 10 comprises a table including an elongated base 12 having a top deck 14 as well as opposite sides 16 and 18 and opposite ends 20 and 22. One end 20 of the table 10 includes a lengthwise outwardly projecting extension 24 having a plurality of longiudinally spaced transverse rollers 26 journaled therefrom and projecting above the upper surface 28 of the extension 24, the upper surface 28 being generally horizontally aligned with the top deck 14.

The table 10 includes three transversely spaced pairs of longitudinally spaced uprights 30, 32 and 34 and each pair of uprights 30, 32 and 34 are aligned longitudinally of the table 10.

An elongated support member 36 extends between and is supported from the upper ends of each pair of uprights 30, 32, and 34 and each support member 36 includes a plurality of sleeve members 38 slidable therealong and supporting a depending abutment member 40 notched along its lower marginal edge portion as at 42.

The rear side 18 of the table 10 includes a pair of outstanding mounting ears 44 between which the lower end of an upstanding support 46 is pivotally supported by means of a pivot fastener 48. The support 46 is disposed centrally intermediate the opposite ends of the table 10 and the upper end of the support 46 is pivotally attached to the adjacent end of a horizontal transverse abutment member 50. A second pair of outstanding mounting ears 52 are supported from the front side 16 of the table 10 and the lower end of a second upstanding support 54 is pivotally supported between the tive thereto. Also, it will be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings that the underside marginal portion of the transverse abutment member 50 overlies the central portions of the horizontal longitudinal support members 36 from which the sleeves 38 are supported. Thus,

the central portions of the support members 36 are braced against upward deflection. However, as may be seen from the phantom line representation thereof in FIG. 3, the upper end of the upstanding support 54 may be readily swung downwardly and outwardly to open the front side of the area disposed above the top deck 14 between the opposite end uprights 34.

The opposite ends 20 and 22 each include two outstanding mounting brackets 60 from which the lower ends of a pair of upright air cylinders 62 are supported. The air cylinders 62 include upwardly projectable piston rod portions 64 and the upper ends of the piston rod portions 64 are pinned to longitudinally spaced lower marginal portions of horizontal transverse abutment members 66 disposed at opposite ends of the table 10. The abutment member 66 at the end of the table from which the extension 24 projects is downwardly receivable within a slot 68 formed in the upper surface 28 of the extension 24 and each of the transverse abutment members 66 is guidingly supported from outstanding slide brackets 70 supported and projecting outwardly from the ends and 22.

A pair of elongated longitudinal abutment members 72 are provided and each includes a pair of longitudinal elements 74 interconnected by means of longitudinally spaced transverse braces 76. The opposite ends of the elements 74 are rounded as at 78 and the longitudinal abutment members 72 are positionable on the extension 24 for rolling support on the rollers 26 and may be extended to the right as viewed in FIG. 2 of the drawings so as to be advanced between adjacent stringers 80 of a pallet referred to in general by the reference numeral 82 disposed on the deck 14 and including upper and lower deck boards 84 and 86.

Once the pallet 82 has'been positioned on the deck 14, the sleeves 38 are adjusted so that the abutment members 40 depending therefrom will pass downwardly between adjacent deck boards 84 and engage the upper edge portions of the stringers 80. Then, the longitudinal abutment members are inserted between the deck boards 84 and 86 and between the stringers 80 with the opposite ends of the longitudinal abutment members 72projecting endwise outwardly from the table 10 and disposed over the transverse abutment members 66. Then, the quick acting air cylinders 62 are actuated to sharply lift the abutment members whereby the latter will move upwardly, abut the opposite ends of the longitudinal abutment members 72 and sharply raise the latter into engagement with the upper deck boards 84 between the stringers 80 and thus sharply upwardly displace the upper deck boards 84 from the stringers 80 until the upper surfaces of the abutment members 72 engage the transverse stop bars 90 carried by the upper ends of each set of uprights 30, 32 and 34. Then, the longitudinal abutment members 72 are displaced to the left so as to be positioned in the positions thereof illustrated in FIG. 2, the support 54 is swung from the solid line position thereof illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings to the phantom line position thereof and the pallet 82 and disassembled upper deck boards 84 may be removed from the front side 16 of the table 19, the air cylinders 62 having been deactivated prior to removal of the longitudinal abutment members 72. Then, the pallet 82, minus its upper deck boards 84, is inverted and reinserted on top of the top deck 14 after which the member 54 is swung back to the solid line position thereof illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings and the longitudinal abutment members 72 are again advanced to the right as viewed in FIG. 2 of the drawings between the stringers prior to the next actuation of the air cylinders 62.

Thus, it may be seen that the pallet 82 may be completely disassembled within a short period of time and by a single operator of the pallet disassembly machine.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A pallet disassembly machine comprising a support table including opposite sides and opposite ends, at least three transversely spaced pairs of longitudinally spaced and aligned uprights supported from opposite end portions of said table, an elongated support member extending between and supported from the upper end portions of each pair of uprights, each of said support members including a plurality of depending abutment members supported therefrom and shiftable longitudinally therealong, and a plurality of elongated longitudinal abutment members equal'in number to the number of spaces between adjacent pairs of uprights, said longitudinal abutment members being adapted to be inserted lengthwise between adjacent stringers of a pallet disposed on said table with its deck boards extending transversely of said table, and a pair of elongated transverse abutment members supported at opposite ends of said table for vertical shifting relative to said table and engaging the opposite ends of and raising said elongated abutment members to force the upper deck boards of a pallet disposed on said table from the pallet stringers thereof with which said depending abutment members are adapted to be engaged, and means connected between said table and said transverse abutment members for selectively raising the latter.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said depending abutment members include notched lower marginal edge portions for embracingly engaging the upper marginal edge of an associated pallet stringer.

3. The combination of claim 1 including an elevated transverse abutment member supported from said table intermediate its opposite ends overlying and limiting upward deflection of underlying portions of said elongated support members.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein one side edge portion of said table includes an upstanding support, the corresponding end of said transverse abutment member being supported from an upper portionof said upstanding support, the other side edge portion of said table including a second upstanding support connected to the adjacent end of said transverse abutment member against upward movement thereof.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein the lower end of said second upstanding support is supported from said table for pivotal movement about an axis extending longitudinally of said table, the upper end of said second upstanding support and the adjacent end of said transverse abutment member including coacting means releasably engageable with each other upon upward swinging of the upper end of said second upstanding LII gated elements.

7. The combination of claim 1 wherein said means connected between said transverse abutment members and said table comprise fluid motors.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said fluid motors comprise quick acting air cylinders. 

1. A pallet disassembly machine comprising a support table including opposite sides and opposite ends, at least three transversely spaced pairs of longitudinally spaced and aligned uprights supported from opposite end portions of said table, an elongated support member extending between and supported from the upper end portions of each pair of uprights, each of said support members including a plurality of depending abutment members supported therefrom and shiftable longitudinally therealong, and a plurality of elongated longitudinal abutment members equal in number to the number of spaces between adjacent pairs of uprights, said longitudinal abutment members being adapted to be inserted lengthwise between adjacent stringers of a pallet disposed on said table with its deck boards extending transversely of said table, and a pair of elongated transverse abutment members supported at opposite ends of said table for vertical shifting relative to said table and engaging the opposite ends of and raising said elongated abutment members to force the upper deck boards of a pallet disposed on said table from the pallet stringers thereof with which said depending abutment members are adapted to be engaged, and means connected between said table and said transverse abutment members for selectively raising the latter.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said depending abutment members include notched lower marginal edge portions for embracingly engaging the upper marginal edge of an associated pallet stringer.
 3. The combination of claim 1 including an elevated transverse abutment member supported from said table intermediate its opposite ends overlying and limiting upward deflection of underlying portions of said elongated support members.
 4. The combination of claim 3 wherein one side edge portion of said table includes an upstanding support, the corresponding end of said transverse abutment member being supported from an upper portion of said upstanding support, the other side edge portion of said table including a second upstanding support connected to the adjacent end of said transverse abutment member against upward movement thereof.
 5. The combination of claim 4 wherein the lower end of said second upstanding support is supported from said table for pivotal movement about an axis extending longitudinally of said table, the upper end of said second upstanding support and the adjacent end of said transverse abutment member including coacting means releasably engageable with each other upon upward swinging of the upper end of said second upstanding support to lock siad adjacent end of said transverse abutment member against upward movement relative to said table.
 6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said elongated abutment members each comprise a pair of horizontal transversely spaced elongated elements and a plurality of longitudinally spaced transverse brace members extending between and secured to said elongated elements.
 7. The combination of claim 1 wherein said means connected between said transverse abutment members and said table comprise fluid motors.
 8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said fluid motors comprise quick acting air cylinders. 